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October 18, 2013

Don't Let Leaves Just Fall Away

October is almost here and that means we’ll be hearing a lot
about fall foliage. Take a look around. Some leaves are already showing their
fall colors.

You’ll also need to keep an eye on your lawn. The same
leaves that look beautiful on trees can have a nasty effect on your lawn. Raking
leaves is another fall tradition and a way to keep your lawn healthy.

So what are the benefits to removing leaves from our yard? Lawns need to breathe. All
those leaves can smother your grass, especially if they stay on the lawn all
winter. Wet, untouched leaves can also
cause your lawn to become a breeding ground for fungi and insects, something to
consider if kids or pets are going to be playing in the yard.

The importance of getting leaves off your yard can also
depend on where you live. Many areas of the northern U.S. have cool grass
seasons. These are times of the year when temperatures are neither too hot nor
too cold. Fall is one of these times. It’s
also a time of year where there is still adequate sunlight so if the grass has
enough water and nutrients, your lawn will have a chance to revitalize itself. Of course, if you don’t remove the leaves,
your lawn cannot take full advantage of the sunlight.

You've got choices when it comes to removing the
leaves. Leaf blowers are an option, but
they may not be as thorough as the trusty old garden rake. Raking and bagging leaves is environmentally
friendly and a lot quieter than a leaf blower. Lawn mowing can also help with leaf removal. Your mower can mulch
some of those leaves. You can also save
some of your leaves to be used as compost in a garden.

Once the leaves are out of the way, don’t forget about watering your lawn. Just because
temperatures have cooled off does not mean your grass couldn't use water,
especially after a few warm autumn days.

Blogmaster

Phil Goold is a retired landscaper of 30 years. He loves being outside more than anything else, except maybe pie. He enjoys connecting with other landscapers and gardeners because everyone brings something new and fun to the table. Connect with Phil on Twitter and Google+.